Canadian Open 2024: Men's singles draw analysis, preview and prediction ft. potential Jannik Sinner-Daniil Medvedev SF
The men's singles draw for Canadian Open 2024 has been made and we could have some interesting fixtures on our hand, despite the absence of the likes of Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will be eager to defend his title in Canada and given his current run of form, but there is a fair chance of him doing so.
Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud are players that are all capable of triumphing in Montreal when at their best, as are the likes of Andrey Rublev, Taylor Fritz and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
On that note, let's take a look at how the men's singles draw at the Canadian Open could unfold.
Top Half: Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev and Stefanos Tsitsipas make for interesting draw
Seeded Players: (1) Jannik Sinner, (3) Daniil Medvedev, (5) Andrey Rublev, (8) Stefanos Tsitsipas, (10) Tommy Paul, (12) Ugo Humbert, (15) Alejandro Tabilo, (16) Karen Khachanov
Expected Semifinal: Jannik Sinner vs Daniil Medvedev
Dark Horse: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Analysis: Defending champion Jannik Sinner is in this half and he might face Frances Tiafoe or Alejandro Tabilo in the third round. Even if he does, the Italian should be able to overcome either of the two. The Italian could potentially face either fifth seed Andrey Rublev or tenth seed Tommy Paul in the quarterfinals, although the likes of Denis Shapovalov or Nicolas Jarry should not be written off.
Rublev or Paul could both pose a threat to Sinner, but the Italian's hard court form has been impressive so far in 2024 and he should be able to overcome either of the two and reach the semifinals.
The other side of this half has some formidable players in Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas. While the likes of Karen Khachanov and Ugo Humbert are both capable of producing some impressive tennis on their day, there is a good chance of a quarterfinal clash between the Russian and the Greek.
While Tsitsipas has previously reached the final at the Canadian Open, Medvedev's form in 2024 has been considerably better so far, and he should be able to get his tenth win over the former and reach the semifinals in Montreal Open.
A semifinal between Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev would be a thrilling one, especially considering that the Russian beat the Italian in their last meeting in the Wimbledon quarterfinals. However, if Sinner is at his fittest, he should be able to get the win and reach the final of the Canadian Open.
Semifinal Prediction: Jannik Sinner def. Daniil Medvedev.
Bottom Half: Casper Ruud, Hubert Hurkacz and Grigor Dimitrov will look to challenge Alexander Zverev
Seeded Players: (2) Alexander Zverev, (4) Hubert Hurkacz, (6) Casper Ruud, (7) Alexander Zverev, (9) Taylor Fritz, (13) Holger Rune, (14) Felix Auger-Aliassime
Predicted Semifinal: Casper Ruud vs Grigor Dimitrov
Dark Horse: Sebastian Korda
Analysis: This half has second seed Alexander Zverev, who might face Jack Draper in the second round. If the German overcomes the Brit, he should be able to reach the quarterfinals of the Canadian Open without much trouble, given his current form and that of his potential opponents (Holger Rune, Fabian Marozsan, Milos Raonic and Pablo Carreno Busta).
Here, Zverev will most likely face either sixth seed Casper Ruud or ninth seed Taylor Fritz, even though the likes of Sebastian Korda or Cameron Norrie should not be written off. While Ruud has had his fair share of frailties at times this season, there is a fair chance of him proceeding to the quarterfinals of the Canadian Open ahead of Taylor Fritz.
The Norwegian has previously beaten Alexander Zverev on hard courts, and there is a fair chance of him doing the same if he is at his best, and reach the semifinals in Montreal.
The other side of this half has four very solid seeded players in Hubert Hurkacz, Grigor Dimitrov, Ben Shelton and Felix Auger-Aliassime. All four are capable of reaching the quarterfinals but there is a fair chance of Auger-Aliassime and Dimitrov doing so.
Hurkacz has had a few fitness issues since Wimbledon and that might hold him back. Ben Shelton and Grigor Dimitrov could lock horns in the Round of 16, and the latter's resurgence could see him make it through to the quarterfinals.
Ruud and Dimitrov could have an exciting clash in the semifinals of the Canadian Open, and the former's counterpunching might just about beat the latter's versatility and see him reach the final.
Semifinal Prediction: Casper Ruud def. Grigor Dimitrov
Canadian Open 2024: Final prediction
If things go as predicted above, we could see a final between Casper Ruud and Jannik Sinner. The Italian will enter the match as the favorite to win and his intensity could well break the Norwegian's defense and resilience and see him successfully defend his title in Montreal.
Predicted champion: Jannik Sinner